“Structural assessments of the dam were not conducted” for Cement Lake; EP Water

El Paso Water purchased 300 acres that included Cement Lake from the Texas Department of Transportation last month. The utility’s primary objective was open space preservation, consistent with its Stormwater utility obligation to dedicate 10% of utility revenues to open space purchases. The City’s Open Space Advisory Board identified this land and placed it on a list for desired preservation a number of years ago.

EPWater more recently needed an easement on the property for critical wastewater infrastructure, and through discussions with TXDoT, the agency required that the full 300 acres be acquired.

As part of due diligence, EPWater’s primary concern was whether any industrial contamination from decades past remained and therefore, conducted an environmental assessment. In addition, information from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality indicated the site had been studied with no problematic findings. Water testing conducted by the utility found water quality to be favorable. Structural assessments of the dam were not conducted as part of the acquisition process.

After taking ownership, the EPWater Stormwater team identified the hazardous condition of the dam and immediately began to address structural issues.